New Hampshire Statesman And State Journal

We approve the sentiments contained in the following paragraph from the Nantucket Inquirer. People of course form their opinions in regard to the guilt or innocence of Mr Avery, the decision of the jury to the contrary notwithstanding; but should not the public press discountenance popular ferment and those other disorganizing proceedings that have grown out of the affair, rather than feed the flame? We think so.

We regard the infuriated conduct of certain individuals in Rhode-Island and elsewhere, in relation to the late E. K. Avery in very nearly the same light in which we view that of our fanatical forefathers of Salem, the persecutions and counter persecutions of the days of Elizabeth and Mary, the diablerie of the Spanish Inquisition, and the more recent turmoils and oppressions growing out of the Morgan excitement.

The worst effect to be apprehended from such outrageous language respecting Avery, as certain conductors of the press seem prone to indulge is the contempt thereby cast upon our judicial tribunals. In the public eye, our institutions may become degraded, and our courts of justice in an especial manner lose all their wonted sanctity of character by such abandoned perversions of the liberty of the press.

Our laws themselves may be trampled upon, and the solemn decisions of judges and juries utterly reversed by mobs maddened to desperation through the unprincipled efforts of reckless newspaper scribblers. Some Rhode Island papers do not scruple openly and repeatedly to call Avery a murderer of the blackest stamp! Should such a state of things be suffered, what is the consequence? All respect for that sacred privilege, the trial by jury, must inevitably be destroyed—all confidence in the wisdom and integrity of our judicial agents entirely eradicated.

And all this hue and cry, first started by shameless journalists, is fed, and forwarded, and kept up, under the scandalous pretence, the libellous insinuation, that it is required by the cause of truth, as an expression of popular opinion!